The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 28th annual Business Excellence Awards (BEA) in the spring and Amherstburg will be well represented.

Three Amherstburg businesses have been nominated for awards, with the winners to be announced April 18 at Caesars Windsor.

Dan Gemus, owner/broker with the Dan Gemus Real Estate Team was nominated in the Professional of the Year category. Other nominees include naturopathic doctor Meighan Valero and AM800 radio host Lisa Williams.

Wolfhead Distillery was nominated in the New Business of the Year category, along with Exodus Escape Rooms and Thrive Benefits Group Inc.

“I’m so honoured to have been nominated. When I received the news a couple months ago that I had been nominated it seemed a little surreal at the time! Being at the news conference (last Wednesday) and hearing my name announced as a finalist was incredible!” said Gemus. “Being nominated along side Dr. Meighan Valero and an old AM800 co-worker and friend Lisa Williams is very humbling. All the nominees are so deserving. It will make for a fun night in April!”

Sue Manherz, co-owner of Wolfhead Distillery with husband Tom, said they were “quite surprised and honoured” to be nominated.

“We are up against a couple great companies and wish them the best of luck as well,” said Manherz. “We have a great team here at Wolfhead and none of this would be possible without everybody’s hard work and passion for what we have created. With the support of not only local residents but out-of-town people, they have helped put Wolfhead on the map and we are excited to see what the future brings us. Being nominated for New Business of the Year is very humbling and rewarding and we strive to keep things moving in the right direction!”

Bill Deslippe, owner/chef at Smashed Apple, noted it was their second time being nominated for a Windsor-Essex BEA.

“We are hustling out here for Amherstburg. These are our roots and everything we do is a reflection of our amazing town and the people living here. We are proud to represent and hope to take home the win this year,” said Deslippe. “Having said that, we are in the same category as our friends and fellow talented business owners Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast and F&B Walkerville. We couldn’t have asked for a better compliment than to be placed in the same category as these innovative, talented and skilled business owners. At the risk of sounding ridiculous, being compared to these greats feels like a win already for Smashed Apple, we are doing it right! We are going in proud and humbled for the nomination, but come the night of the awards, we want to take it home!”

Local business owners have suited up to recognize the achievements of their colleagues.

The 2017 Business Excellence Awards were held this past Friday night at Pointe West Golf Club.

The event was organized by the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce, but businesses were nominated for awards by their patrons.

Mary Ann Wolff (left) hugs Josie Piruzza after being given the lifetime achievement award. A former pharmacist and franchise owner, Wolff retired from Shoppers Drug Mart in February. (RTT Photo by Jonathan Martin)

In total, only 11 certificates were handed out, but past ACOC president Chris Gibb said every nominee should be proud.

“It’s amazing the number of nominations we receive,” he said. “Every business (present at the awards ceremony) has earned the love and respect of its customers.”

CJ Bondy Plumbing nabbed the small business award, which is defined as having fewer than 20 employees. The award was presented by town councilor Leo Meloche.

Precision Plastics earned the counterpoint, snagging the large business award, which is given to a local business that employs more than 20 people.

The Amherstburg License Bureau was given the excellence in customer service award. Gibb chuckled into the microphone and said, “Only in Amherstburg would the license bureau earn an award for its customer service.”

Janet Willoughby, left, listens to the acceptance speech given by the Amherstburg License Bureau after announcing that they had been awarded the excellence in customer service award in Amherstburg last Friday. The dining room buzzed with laughter after it was mentioned that “only in Amherstburg would the license bureau be recognized for its customer service skills.” (RTT Photo by Jonathan Martin)

Norm Mickle, the local real estate agent who started the “Amherstburg, You’ll Love it Here!” promotional campaign, was presented with the community service/involvement award and premium liquor manufacturer Wolfhead Distillery caught the growth and expansion award.

Funeral directing student Kelsey Sutton accepted the business legacy award on behalf of Sutton Funeral Home. Sutton is the latest in the family’s funerary dynasty.

Justin Falconer prepares to present the investing in a world class workforce award to Anna Fiorito and the team at Amherstburg Physical Therapy. (RTT Photo by Jonathan Martin)

Amherstburg Physical Therapy snagged the investing in a world-class work force award for its exemplary staff and Bill Deslippe earned himself an excellence in food service award for his company, Smashed Apple, which started as a food truck and then expanded into a brick-and-mortar takeout restaurant.

Community Living Essex County board of directors president Ron Giofu, along with CLEC director of operations Karen Bolger, presented Jones Group with the welcoming accessibility award for its support of the Essex County Heroes Athletic Club.

Finally, former Shoppers Drug Mart franchise owner and pharmacist Mary Ann Wolff delivered an impassioned acceptance speech upon receiving her lifetime achievement award. She said the last time she had the opportunity to make an address she passed it up, so she wanted to make the most of it this time round. She used her time at the podium to speak in favour of hiring students and youths and to thank the colleagues she has worked beside over the past decades.

The event was sold out, despite this year’s addition of 50 seats. The 2017 business excellence awards ended up hosting nearly 200 patrons.

Amherstburg’s CAO has outlined the town’s conceptual plan for the site of the former Duffy’s Tavern and Motor Inn and also talked about the Belle Vue property.

Addressing a dining room full of local business owners at Friday’s 2017 business excellence awards, CAO John Miceli also went over how council plans to improve the town’s infrastructure.

The Town of Amherstburg closed on the acquisition of Duffy’s Feb. 14. According to Miceli, the town issued a tender for the site’s demolition March 28. He said the town hopes to have the land cleared of buildings by mid or late June.

This spring, Miceli said town hall plans to hold public consultation meetings to “confirm the community’s wishes as it relates to the Duffy’s site.”

Miceli said the estimated budget for the development of the project is $6 million.

“This, friends, is exciting,” he said. “It will be the premiere community gathering place in the region.”

Belle Vue is considered a “crown jewel” of Amherstburg, says CAO John Miceli

As it stands, the plan includes a central plaza to accommodate events, a wharf to dock ships, fishing spots, a boat ramp, a service building with washrooms and concessions, an event area with supporting infrastructure and a waterfront amphitheatre.

Miceli added, “I believe that, should we develop the conceptual plan as tabled, council and this community will have a waterfront unmatched to anyone in this region and our waterfront will serve as an economic engine for our community.”

Belle Vue will also be an “economic engine,” he said. The restoration of the 200-year-old town-owned mansion on Dalhousie St. will cost in the neighbourhood of $3 million with it being about $9 million to develop the entire property as proposed by the municipality.

“Belle Vue, in my opinion, is a crown jewel of this community,” the chief administrative officer told the crowd of nearly 200 people at Pointe West Golf Club.

Miceli pointed out the Belle Vue Conservancy is in the process of fundraising with a goal of $1 million.

He said that town hall is in talks with consultants about the creation of a community improvement plan (CIP) and the establishment of urban design dialogues.

A CIP is a municipal planning and development tool put out by the provincial government. Ultimately, its implementation would allow the town to offer tax incentives to assist in the development of properties within the area designated by the plan.

“Our goal will be to provide initiatives that will assist in creating a climate that will result in a new hotel,” said Miceli. “A new hotel in the town of Amherstburg. That is what your community wants; that is what your council wants to deliver.”

Miceli also spoke about phase 8b of Kingsbridge, referring to a zoning by-law that was passed March 20 allowing 55 single-family dwellings to be developed east of Knobb Hill Dr. and north of McLellan Ave.

He said Meadow View Estates, set to be built on the corner of Simcoe St. and Meloche Rd., will be developed in phases and result in an additional 142 residential units.

“The town has taken steps to improve our relationships with developers,” Miceli said. “We are now working together to make Amherstburg a community of choice for development. As you know, without development we can have no growth and without growth we cannot sustain our current service levels.”

The town’s concept plan for the Duffy’s property was discussed by Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) John Miceli as part of the Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce’s Business Excellence Awards. The banquet took place Friday night at Pointe West Golf Club.

The town has capacity at the new wastewater plant for approximately 50,000 people, he said.

Miceli reminded listeners that the town is in the process of collecting data related to internet services through a survey that can be accessed on the town’s website. The information will be used “to apply for grants and hopefully build a business plan for council to consider” regarding the improvement of rural internet infrastructure.

As he stepped down from the podium, he challenged the local business community, asking them what they thought they could do to “to seize their opportunity to create economic development in this community.”

The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the nominees for its 12th annual Business Excellence Awards.

Over the last four weeks, the Chamber has been accepting nominations for the awards and was thrilled with the number of nominations they received.

“We had so many nominations come in and it was really hard to choose winners in the categories,” said ACOC board member and awards co-organizer Ray Bezaire. “Amherstburg is lucky with the choices of local businesses that we have. There is really no reason not to shop local. It was great to see our community have no trouble coming up with names of nominees.”

The nominees are:

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

I Dare Your Hair

CJ Bondy Plumbing

Amherstburg Optometric Centre

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Precision Plastics

Walker Aggregates

Diageo

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE

PaintCO

Amherstburg License Bureau

Amherstburg Supply

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

Norm Mickle – Amherstburg, You’ll Love it Here

Joe Meloche Ford

Libro Credit Union

GROWTH & EXPANSION

Wolfhead Distillery

Amherstburg Pharmacy

Dan Gemus Real Estate Team

EXCELLENCE IN FOOD SERVICE

Smashed Apple

Beacon Ale House

Gabriel’s Deli

BUSINESS LEGACY

Sutton Funeral Home

Precision Jewellers

Waterbee Pools

WELCOMING ACCESSIBILITY

Amherstburg Home Health Supplies

Jones Group

Fort Malden Dental

MOST ATTRACTIVE IMPROVEMENT

Amherstburg Laundry

Bondy House B&B

Speck’s Restaurant

The Chamber will also be honouring retired Shoppers Drug Mart associate Mary Ann Wolff with a lifetime achievement award.

“With Mary Ann retiring from Shoppers this year, the Chamber felt it was a great time to honour her with this award,” said Bezaire. “She has been a great supporter of the Chamber and our community.”

The gala event where the winners will be announced will be held at Pointe West Golf Course March 31. Nominees are encouraged to bring family, friends and their staff for a great dinner and an evening of networking and socializing with other members of the business community.

Tickets are $50 and are available at Gibb Insurance, located at 535 Sandwich St. S. (next to Tim Hortons). The phone number is 519-736-8228.

“Tickets will go fast now. Get yours before they are gone,” said Bezaire. “The venue is great but seating is limited.”

CAO John Miceli will also be making a presentation and giving updates on the exciting projects the town is working on.

“We are looking forward to hearing from John and getting more information on the Belle Vue project, the Duffy’s project among others.”

The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce (ACOC) will once again be hosting its Business Excellence Awards and will pay tribute to business owners, staff and corporate executives as part of the evening.

The 12th annual Business Excellence Awards will taking place March 31 at Pointe West Golf Club, 200 Golfwood Dr.

A guest speaker is still being lined up but nominations are open for the awards.

Ray Bezaire, a local business owner and chamber board member, is helping to organize this year’s dinner. He said the ACOC is welcoming the community to forward ideas on who is most deserving of this year’s awards.

“The Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce is excited to host the 12th annual Business Excellence Awards,” he said. “We look forward to recognizing our hard working business owners and their staff members. We have a great group of businesses in town and it is a privilege to recognize the best of the best.”

The awards include Small Business of the Year (under 20 employees), Large Business of the Year (over 20 employees), Excellence in Customer Service, Most Attractive Improvement, Community Service/Community Involvement, Growth and Expansion, Excellence in Food Services, Investing in a World Class Workforce, the Business Legacy Award and the ACOC Directors’ Choice Awards.

“The awards evening provides an opportunity to celebrate the many Amherstburg businesses that have made a significant contribution to community spirit, service and quality of life by demonstrating outstanding business leadership, innovation and success, and it’s such a great night to mingle with your peers,” Bezaire added.

Tickets are $50 and available now at the Gibb Insurance, located at 80 Richmond St. in Amherstburg. Call 519-736-8228 or e-mail amherstburgchamber@gmail.com to reserve your spot.

Nomination forms are available at www.amherstburgchamber.com with hard copies available at Gibb Insurance and Just Cork It. People can also e-mail amherstburgchamber@gmail.com with the name of the business they are nominating and in which category.